Recreational Boating Industry Urged to Submit Comments on NOAA Vessel Strike Reduction Rule by June 2

Members of the recreational boating industry have until June 2 to submit comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the future of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction rule.

Comments can be submitted via Boating United here

This is a critical opportunity for boat manufacturers, marinas, dealers, anglers, charter operators, coastal businesses, and boaters to urge NOAA to pursue a modern, science-based, and technology-driven approach that protects the North Atlantic right whale while preserving safe navigation, boater access, and coastal jobs.

NOAA's review follows the agency's 2024 withdrawal of a sweeping 2022 proposal to expand vessel speed restrictions along much of the East Coast. The recreational boating community raised serious concerns that the proposal treated small recreational vessels the same as large commercial ships, failed to account for vessel design and operating conditions, and overlooked the growing role of marine technologies that can help reduce vessel strike risk.

NMMA supports protecting the North Atlantic right whale, which is why a durable rule must reflect the latest science, real-world vessel operations, and available technologies. The recreational boating industry has invested in solutions that can help detect whales, share data with mariners, improve on-water awareness, and reduce vessel strike risk. These tools include detection systems, data aggregation, real-time alerts, onboard integration, and vessel-specific risk reduction.

A smart rule can protect whales and maintain safe access to public waters while supporting coastal communities. Recreational boating supports more than 812,000 American jobs and $230 billion in annual economic activity. It is also a uniquely made-in-America industry, with 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. made in the U.S. and 93 percent of boat builders qualifying as small businesses.

NMMA is encouraging all members of the recreational boating community to submit comments before the June 2 deadline and urge NOAA to advance a balanced, technology-driven rule that protects marine life, boaters, and the businesses that depend on access to the water.

Submit comments through Boating United by June 2: https://www.boatingunited.org/take-action/noaa-comment/